Why do children get styes?

There is no set reason why the infection occurs although it seems reasonable to assume that bugs which normally live on the surface...

15/05/2014

Question

My son developed a stye overnight in his right eye.

Why do these occur, and what is the treatment for it?

Answer

A stye is an infection in one of the tiny follicles from which an eyelash grows.

There is no set reason why the infection occurs, although it seems reasonable to assume that bugs that normally live on the surface of the skin and cause no problem there somehow manage to get down into the lash follicle, where they multiply and form a small abscess.

Usually no particular treatment is necessary for a stye – the pus in the abscess will often 'come to a point' and discharge on its own, after which the swelling will start to go down and any discomfort will ease.

It may help to gently pull out the eyelash growing from the infected follicle, as it is then easier for the pus to drain out.

Antibiotics (in tablet or syrup form)are rarely needed to treat a stye, but occasionally a doctor may think it necessary to prescribe antibiotic eye drops.

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